Overview

This bill aims to completely sever the link between inherited titles (hereditary peerages) and membership of the House of Lords, removing the last remaining hereditary peers and ending the House of Lords' role in resolving disputes over inherited titles.

Description

The bill achieves its aim through several key actions:

• Exclusion of Remaining Hereditary Peers: It removes the exception in the 1999 House of Lords Act that allowed a limited number of hereditary peers to remain in the House of Lords, effectively ending their membership.
• Abolition of Jurisdiction over Hereditary Peerage Claims: The bill removes the House of Lords' authority to adjudicate on claims to hereditary peerages, including those where the succession is unclear (in abeyance).
• Consequential Amendments: The bill makes various consequential amendments to existing legislation (Peerage Act 1963, House of Lords Act 1999, Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, and House of Lords Reform Act 2014) to remove references and provisions related to hereditary peerages and their connection to the House of Lords.
• Commencement: The act comes into effect at the end of the parliamentary session in which it is passed, rendering any summonses issued based on hereditary peerages ineffective after that session.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant direct impact on government spending. The changes are primarily administrative and legal, removing outdated processes rather than introducing new expenditure.

Groups Affected

• Hereditary Peers: They will lose their seats in the House of Lords.
• Individuals Claiming Hereditary Peerages: They will need to seek alternative legal avenues to resolve disputes over their claims.
• House of Lords: Its composition will be further altered. Its administrative processes concerning hereditary peerages will cease.
• Government Departments: They will need to update relevant legislation and processes.

Powered by nyModel